BIG IDEA:
PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO HIS YOUNGER PROTÉGÉ:
FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY BY PREACHING THE WORD
(REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE MESSAGE IS POPULAR)
I. (:1) THE EYEWITNESSES OF THE CHARGE:
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!
(Maintaining sound doctrine is serious business)
A. The Seriousness of the Charge – “I solemnly charge you”
Timothy had better pay close attention
B. The Eyewitnesses
1. “in the presence of God”
2. “and of Christ Jesus”
Campbell: “The fact that God the Father and Son are looking on as Paul gives this charge verifies its Divine origin and sanctions its validity. What Paul is about to say is backed up by Divine authority (cf. 1 Tim. 2:3; 5:21).”
C. The Accountability Factor – “who is to judge the living and the dead”
D. The Imminent Return Factor – “and by His appearing and His kingdom”
Sense of urgency – we don’t have all the time in the world to get the job done
II. (:2) THE ESSENCE OF THE CHARGE:
PREACH THE WORD!
A. What does it Mean in a Practical Sense to “Preach the Word”?
cf. book by Haddon Robinson = Biblical Preaching
1. Must be an exegetical approach
2. Must be a systematic approach
3. Requires serious study and preparation
B. When is it Imperative to Preach the Word?
“be ready in season and out of season”
not a matter of personal convenience or comfort
C. What are Some of the Components of a Biblical Preaching Ministry?
these actions will take place publicly in the context of preaching itself.as well as privately on an individual basis as necessary
1. “Reprove”
Woychuk: “convict of wrong and sin by the searching light and power of the Scriptures.”
2. “Rebuke”
Woychuk: “This is a very strong word (epitimao) and means to censure, to blame, to charge and prove guilty, even in the face of opposition.”
3. “Exhort”
Wiersbe – cf. an old maxim for preachers: “He should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted”
D. What is the Dominant Tone of a Biblical Preaching Ministry?
“with great patience”
E. What is the Primary Objective of a Biblical Preaching Ministry?
“and instruction”
This is a lifelong ministry of systematic indoctrination in the whole counsel of God
III. (:3-4) THE ENTERTAINMENT ALTERNATIVE:
DON’T CHANGE THE MESSAGE TO SATISFY POPULAR DEMAND!
(Sound Doctrine will not be the popular choice; but don’t cave in)
(Refutation of postmill – things are not getting progressively better)
A. Apostasy is Inevitable
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”
Trace the downward, compromising path of any major Biblical institution –
denomination, seminary, etc.
Books like: The Battle for the Bible and The Bible in the Balance by Lindsell
B. Accommodation Becomes the Rule
“but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires”
C. Adulterated Message Is the Popular Preference
1. “turn away their ears from the truth”
2. “and will turn aside to myths”
cf. how so many cultists were church goers earlier in their life
IV. (:5) THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHARGE:
FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY!
“But you” – in contrast to those false teachers who are willing to accommodate their
message to the masses
A. Be Serious-Minded – “be sober in all things”
not intoxicated by the thrill of popularity or the enticement of novel doctrines
B. Be Strong in Facing Every Difficulty – “endure hardship”
C. Be Stretched to Perform a Wide Range of Ministry – “do the work of an evangelist”
In fulfilling your ministry of edifying the saints and indoctrinating them in the whole counsel of God, don’t neglect the need for proclaiming the gospel to the lost.
D. Summary: “fulfill your ministry”
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) Are we fulfilling our ministry with the urgency and the sense that the return of Christ is right around the corner? Do we have a healthy fear of God and sense of our accountability before Him?
2) What is the content of this “Word” which we are to preach? What are some of the other terms used by the Apostle Paul in his pastoral epistles to refer to this same body of doctrine?
3) How has “doctrine” and “theology” received such a bad name among present-day Christians as if it is something dry and un-connected to the practical realities of our everyday living? Why do we shrink back from the concept of “preaching” or
authoritatively teaching and talk instead about “sharing” with one another?
4) How can popularity be a dangerous measuring stick for one of God’s heralds?
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